Heel seat conforming machine



Sept 5, 1944- K. w. MACDONALD I 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT CONFORMING MACHINE Sept 5, 1944g Filed March "f, 1942 5sheets-sheet 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 5, 1944. K. w. MACDONALD HEEL SEATCONFORMING MACHINE Filed Maron 7, 19212 4f /f/ ./f/f

l I y l J Sept- 5, 1944- K .'w..MAc :DoNALD 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT CONFORMIG MACHINE Filed March 7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet -4 //Jr fSept 5, 1944 K. w. MACDONALD 2,357,596

HEEL SEAT' CONFORMING MACHINE F'led March '7, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5Patented Sept. 5,- 1,944

HEEL SEAT CONFORMING MACHINE Kenneth W. Macdonald, Watertown, Mass., as-

signor to Compo Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass., a corporationof Delaware Application March 7, 1942, Serial No. 433,739

24 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for treating the counter portions ofshoes, and more particularly oi shoes having heels of the wood heel typewherein the top margin of the heel directly engages the shoe upper, sothat the surface of the counter portion of the upper will mergegradually into the contour of the outer face of the heel, eliminatingbulging of the shoe upper adjacent to the heel.

One object of the present invention is to provide for power actuation ofthe pressing means, previous machines for the purpose having beenoperator actuated either by hand or foot pressure, or both.

A further object is to provide improved pressure-applying mechanism.

Another object is to provide readily adjustable means for supporting andpositioning a shoe correctly related to the pressing mechanism, ltakingaccount not only of size and style differences, but also whether theshoe is a right or left, the latter adjustment being substantiallyautomatic.

A further object is to provide for treating the shoe either on the lastor on a form after the last has been removed.

Another object is to improve the construction and control of thepressure mechanism.

Further objects and advantages will appear from a more com-pletedescription of embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of the top plate removedof a twin machine embodying the invention, one pressing mechanism beingshown in idle position and the other inV pressing position.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are Vertical sectional views on correspondinglynumbered lines of Figure 1, Figure 4 being fragmentary.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View similar to a portion of Figure 1, but toa larger scale and showing certain parts by dotted lines-not shown inFigure 1.

Figure 6 is, a detail section on line 6 6. of Figure 5. I

Figure '7 is a perspective View of a key element.

Figure 8 is a plan view, partly broken away and in section of a pressuremechanism facing pad. Figure 9 is. a detail section on line 9-9 ofFigure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary top planY of a shoe support provided with ashoe-receiving form in place of the last.

Figure 11 is a'vertical section on line H--I of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram of the electrical apparatus of themachine.

Referring first to the construction shownin Figures 1 to 4, inclusive,the machine comprises a machine base I provided with an elevatedplatform Z and side wall members 3 having suitable feet 4 (see Figure 2)by which the machine may be supported. Upon the platform 2 are securedthe lower ends of uprights 5 which support at their upper ends a table6. This table may be provided with a marginal upstanding. flange l whichmaysupport a suitable cover member 8 shown in Figures 2, 3,l 4 and 6,which may be secured in position by screws or other fastening meanspassing into the threaded holes Siv at the 'corners' of the wall portionl. This cover plate may extend over the major portion of the operatingVmechanism supported on the table 6.

Between the top of the table 6 and the cover plate 8 is mounted the shoepressing mechanism, and as shown, two such identical mechanisms areemployed, the machine being a twin machine. The forward edges of thetable 6 and the cover plate B are matingly recessed as at IU and il Itoform openings into which the heel end portion of a shoe may beprojected, and partially surrounding the shoe so projected is a shoepressing mechanism adapted to engage the counter portion of the shoe,and to exert pressure thereon, more particularly adjacent to the shoeheel seat where the top edge of the heel isv designed to contacttherewith.

As shown best in Figures 1 and 5, each of these presser mechanismscomprises a series of blocks l5, |5a, |517 and 15o, there being a singleblock i'c centrally of the series and two of each of the blocks |5b, I5aand I5.y These blocks are of general wedge shape and the shorter side ofeach forms a pressing face. The blocks I-5 are the end blocks of theseries, while next to them are the blocks 15a, and. back of the blockslia are the blocks I5b on either side of the central block I.5c. Theseblocks are held in arcuate arrangement and for this purpose each mayhave a perforation therethrough as I-Gv, shown ini dot.- ted lines inFigure 5. through which extends a spiral spring l1. The ends of' thisspring ll are anchored on pins I8 extending through thel end blocks l5.These blocks are further held with their adjacent inner edges injuxtaposition with each other by arcuate keys 20. As shown the top andbottom faces of. the'blocks are provided with arcuate sockets 2|, thesockets of each block being concentric with the adjacent side edge ofthe pressing face of the block. The keys are held in the sockets by thetop and bottom plates comprising the cover plate 8 and the top of thetable 6. These keys prevent relative displacement of adjacent blockstransverse to their pressing faces so that the side edges of thesepressing faces 'are held into contact, although the blocks themselvesmay be separated somewhat at their rear edges as shown at the left inFigure 4, when the end blocks. I5 are pressed toward each other andtoward the sides of a shoe in position to be treated. Preferably inorder to prevent any possibility of the blocks Y marring the shoe upperat their side edges and to cause pressure to be applied to the shoe in acontinuous curve, the pressing faces of the blocks act against the backface of a lining which may be of rubber faced with leather or othersuitable facing material, the forward ends of the lining beingpreferably turned away'from each other and secured by any suitable meansto the front walls of the end Vblocks I5. The lining 25 may be providedwith an electric heating element 26 embedded therein, if desired.

When the shoe is in operative relation in the machine, the inner face ofthe lining 25 is disposed inwardly of the margin of the cut out portionII) so that the table and the top plate do not contact with the shoe.

The pressing mechanism is permitted a limited motion with respect to thetable and to this end a pivot pin 38, which is anchored in a pair ofVspaced upper and lower rearward projections 3| and 32 of the centralblock |50, extends below the projection 32 and into a channel 33 in thetop face of the table 6. This central block |5c is normally pressedforwardly toward the shoe support as by means of a spring 34 having itsends seated in sockets 35 and 36, the socket 35 being located in theprojection 32 and the socket 36 being located in a block 31 secured tothe top face of the table 6 as by means of screws 38. This central blockI5c is therefore permitted a rearward motion from the position shown inFigure 2 and in the right hand portion of Figure l, by the rearwardpressure of a shoe 46 supported by mechanism presently to be described,and which may be thrust rearwardly against the linin-g 25 forwardly ofthe central block I5c. On the pivot pin 30 between the projections 3|and 32 are pivoted, one above the other, a pair of arms 42 each carryinga roller 43 at its forward end which bears against the rear face of thecorresponding block I5b, and as the central block I5c is pushedrearwardly by pressure of the shoe, these arms 42 impinge upon fixedstops 44 which causes a forward rocking motion of the arms 42, producinga corresponding pressure on the blocks I5b tending to rock them from theposition shown in the right hand portion of Figure l, and in Figure 5,toward the position shown in the left hand portion of Figure l,separating the rear ends of these blocks I5b from the central `block I5cand tending to close in the blocks |517 to decrease the width of theopening into which the shoe end is thrust. As shown these fixedabutments 44 also have another purpose, these abutments being formed aspivot studs for a pair of levers 45.

As shown best in Figures 2 and 4, each of the pivot studs 44 extendsdownwardly through the table 6 to receive on a reduced diameter threadedextremity 46 thereof, a securing nut 41. The

upper ends of these studs are of reduced diameter as at 48 and projectthrough mating holes 49 in the cover plate 8. Each of the levers 45 haspivoted at 50 at its forward end an equalizing lever 5| provided withrolls 52 at opposite extremities, the forward one of which bears againstthe back face of a forward block I5, and the other of which bearsagainst the back face of the adjacent block I5a. By rocking these levers45 about their studs 44 from the position shown in the right handportion of Figure 1 to that shown in the left hand portion, the for-.ward ends of the series of pressure blocks are closed in toward thesides of a shoe in position therein as is clearly shown in thesefigures, the rear extremities of the blocks I5 and I5a being separated,while their forward edges remain in juxtaposition, being prevented fromseparating by the arcuate keys 20. Likewise the rear ends of the blocks|5a and I5b are separated as the series of blocks are closed in aroundthe shoe end,

This rocking of the levers 45 to close the forward ends of the series ofblocks about the shoe is produced, as shown, by forward motion of awedge block having inclined side faces 56 which engage the peripheriesof a pair of rollers 51 journaled on pins 58 at the rear ends of thelevers 45. These levers 45 have rearward extensions which are connectedtogether by a spring 6|, so as to hold the rollers against the sides ofthe wedge block 55, and guide elements 62 above and below the wedgeblock 55 hold the wedge block in the proper relation to the arms 45.Extending from the rear end of each of the wedge blocks 55 is a thrustrod 65 which extends through a slide block 66. Back of the slide blockeach-thrust rod 65 carries a collar 61, held in place as by a nut 68. Acoil spring 69 surrounds the thrust rod 65 and reacts between theforward face of the slide block 66 and a collar 10 threaded onto theforward portion of the rod 65 and held in adjusted position as by meansof a locking pin 1I. Forward motion of the slide block 66 thus actsthrough the spring 69 to produce a yielding forward pressure on the rod65 and consequently upon the wedge block 55. Compression of the spring69 permits the corresponding rod 65 to slide rearwardly through theblock 66 as shown at the left hand portion of Figure 1.

Forward and backward motion of each of the blocks 66 is produced throughapair of links 15 pivoted at their rear ends t0 opposite sides of theslide block 66 and at their forward ends between jaws 11 of a pair ofrock arms 18 fixed to a rock shaft 19. Each of the rock shafts 19 isfixed to a bell crank lever 80. One arm 8| of each of these bell cranklevers is pivoted between the sides of a yoke 82 which is connectedthrough an adjustable turnbuckle connection 83 with the strap 84 of aneccentric 85 fixed to an actuating shaft 86. This actuating shaftextends crosswise of the machine to both of the pressure actuatingmechanisms, but the two eccentrics 85 are positioned apart so that asone of the yokes 82 is raised, the other is'lowered so that when one ofthe presser mechanisms is closed about the shoe end, the other isopened.

This shaft 86 is rotated vby a motor 90 which is shown as arranged withits axis extending from front to back of the machine, and it isconnected through any suitable form of reduction gearing, the casin-gfor which is indicated at 9|, to the shaft 86. The motor and reductiongearassises -Tl-ie shoe may be supported on the last, if'

desired, or on a separate form if the last has been removed. 'l-nFigures -l, f2, 3 and 4 the shoe is shown as supported on the last,while in vligu'res '10 and `-1'1 a separate form for supporting ftheshoe is illustrated. When the shoe is sup ported on the last, the shoesupport consists of Va slide |300 guided between a pair of ways '|'0|fformed in the table '6 and extending forwardly 'at opposite sides ovthe vopening of the table Aabove which each of the pressing mechanismsis positioned. Cover strips |02 `over-lying the ways |`0| 'serve to holdeach slide |00 in position. 'The forward end of each slide 'is providedwith a pair of spaced ears |03 between which is pivoted the forward endof `a Alink |04 adjustablein length 'by means of a turnbuckle |05, therear end kof this link being of reduced diameter to .form a fshoulder|06, this shoulder lbearing against the forward face of a perforatedpivot 5I0`| connecting the forked extremities of the arm |08'oi` thelbell crank lever 80. A spring |I0 reacts between 'acollar IIsurrounding lthe rod TIM, and bearing against the oppositeface of thepivot I`|`and against a pair of check nuts -I I2 threaded upon the rearextremity of the rod |04, provides a yielding connection between thebell crank lever V|30 Vand the slide |00. Thus as the bell crank leverisfrocked in a direction to 'move the slide |00 rearwardly, it also actsto move the block' andthe wedge block l55 vforwardly so that when thejshoe end has been inserted between the 'sides ofthe pressingYInechanismby rearward motion of the slide |00., the pressing mechanismis closed in about the rear and sides of the lshoe upper, 'both theseactions being eiec'ted through yielding connections. It will be notedthat rocking the bell crank lever 80 in closing direction moves the shoerearwardly and l`the center blok I5'c of the `pressing mechanismforwardly, and that vit also closes in the sides of the pressing mecha..'nism against the shoe. By adjustment of the turnbuckle 93, therefore,the pressure exerted on both the back and sides of the shoe maybeincreased or decreased together. This one adjustment thus controls thetwo pressures which may be kept constant.

The slide |00 is provided with alast pin |`5 to receive the vpin holeofthe last and this pin is vertically adjustable so as 'to presenttheshoe at the proper height for treatment by the mecha- 'nism at therear end of the shoe. 'This last'pin ||5, therefore, is formed as vtheupper portion of an enlarged diameter post IISvertically slidable in asocket I Il in a cross member 2| I8 ofthe slide |00. This post ||6 isinternally threaded vand receives'therein the upper threaded 'extremityof a shaft vI |9 'journaledin the lower portion of the cross 'memberV|`|8 and'to the lower end of which is iixed a spiral gear |20. This`gear lai() the slide |00 and carries on its forward reduced diameterextremity an actuating hand wheel |24. By the turning of this handwheel, it is evident that the Vlast pin |15 may be raised or lowered asdesired. *The toe portion of the shoe is supported by a pad A|25 freelyslidable laterally as by :a 'T head and slot -on the upper end of avertically adjust-'- able post 'I2-6. This post '|26 is mounted forvertical motion in a slide |21 movable from and toward the cross memberI 1|8 which carries the last pin post. The post "|26 is held againstan'- gular motion, as by means oi a key screw |28 working in a suitableslot in ithe post II2'6 and it is vertically adjustable by rotation 'ofa `threaded shaft |29 lengagingV in a threaded socket |290 in the postand having fa hand wheel `|2594 secured to yits lower end,v thearrangement being generally similar to that for adjustingy the last pinpost H6. The slide |721 is adjustable for- 'wardly and rearwardly bymeans of ka screw shaft v'I`2"|0 journaled in the 4slide |00 andengaging an internally threaded portion `of the slide l\'|"2|.

'The forward and rearward adjustment of the post |126 provides -f'ordifferent sizes and sty-les 'of last so asr to bring the pad l| 25 to`the proper distance from the last pin opening, and the 'pa-d |25 beingfreely -sl-idable laterally, permits application of either right or lefthand laststo either 'shoe support as may 'be desired. The inidependentvertical 'adjustments fof `the l-ast pin and the toe support *|25 permitheight adjustment -of the shoe and also angular adjustment about ahorizontal axis, *tilting the shoe 2forwardly or -backwardly so vthatthe 'sole face of fthe'shoe, which is in inverted posit-ion'may b'eadjusted A'forvarious sizes and styles ,of shoe'to Ibring-the marginalpart of the heel seatportion of the shoe into Vproper relation to theVpressing mechanism when the shoe is inpressing position.

The proper position of thev shoe 'is determined by a gage |30. This gageis vfulcrumed at lISI on 'an arm =I32 pivoted v'at |33 to a fixedpoint,-as on one of the cover plates -|02. This lgage Yhas fa pairof gagingportionsy or elements '|34 and |35 spaced lengthwise ofthe shoe and whenthe 4shoe lis in its forward position and properly adjusted vas toheight and angularity, both -gaging-por-tions lengage Athe shoe at thejuncture vof the heel as shownat the right hand portion of 'iFigureLThis gage is pressed 'toward the shoe as by y-a spring '|36 Awhichengages the journal 131 of- 'a `cam roller |538 lcarried bythe arm'I'32.When the `shoe `is moved rearwardly into pressing position, the `camroller |38 vrides up on aiixed `cam plate |39, this swinging the arm|532 and z'withdrawing the gage from the shoe as shown-at Vthe leftofFigure 1.

The lpressing mechanism contoured to properly engage the shoe heelportion, presses'the 7shoe,

particularly adjacent -to the heel seat, into subf'stantially smoothcontour with the adjacent ia'ce of the shoe heel.

'If the shoefhas been removed from the las'tbe- "fore the operation tobe 'performed by 'thisema- `chine has beenfelected, vthe shoe may :beplaced `over a-heel shaped `form such as fis shown inliglures "10 and11. Such ahee'l l'shapediform is fin'- 4`dicated at 4|40 and it maybe ofmetal and-pro lend portion |43, the top of -whihforms `a st0p=to-llimitthe downward motion offtherear end of the block |40, and acrossthe slot between the forked portions extends a lateral pivot |44. 'I'hispost |45 is vertically slidable in a socket |46 in the cross framemember |41 of the sliding carriage |48, and it is internally threadedfor engagement with external threads of a shaft |49 projecting into thesocket |46 and carrying at its lower end a spiral gear |50 which mesheswith a similar gear on a horizontal shaft |52 carried by the slide |48.This shaft |52 is provided at the forward face of the slide with a handwheel |53 by which it may be turned, thus to adjust vertically the post|45 and the rear end of the form |40. The forward end of the form |40has pivoted thereto at |55 the rear end of a link |56 which rides in aslot |51 in the form. The lower forward end of this link is pivotedwithin a slot |58 of a slide |59 mounted between ways |60 of the slide|48. A screw shaft |6| journaled in the slide |48 is threaded into asocket |62 of the slide |59 and is provided at its forward end on theforward face of the slide |48 with a hand wheel |65. The -adjustment ofthe slide |59 by turning the hand wheel |65 acts to raise and lower thefront portion of the form |40 and to determine the angularity of thisform about the pivot |44, thus providing for both the vertical4 andangular adjustment of the shoe so that the shoe, regardless of its styleand size, may be properly positioned relative to the pressing mechanismso that when it is moved back into operative relation thereto thepressing mechanism will properly act thereon.

The means shown for heating the form |40 consists of an electric heatingunit which may be inserted into a socket |1| therein, its conductorwires leading to a pronged plug |12, the prongs of which may be insertedinto a socket member |13. This socket member |13 has leading thereto asuitable conducting cord |14 which may be plugged into an electricalcontrol box shown somewhat diagrammatically at |80. 'Ihis main slide |48is provided with a rearwardly extending forked portion |85 forsecurement to the rod |04 shown in Figures 2 and 4 and may be usedinterchangeably with the last supporting slide |00 shown in Figures 1,2, 3 and 4.

In Figure 12 is shown diagrammatically the electrical control mechanism.At |90 (Figures 1, 2 and 12) is shown a treadle fulcrumed at |9| andnormally held elevated as by a spring |92. This treadle, when depressed,closes a switch arm |93, this switch arm being in series through a' lead|94 with a switch arm |95 actuated by a cam |96 mounted on the shaft 86.This cam has two arcuate portions |91 and |98 of unequal dlameters, eachextending substantially one half of the circumference of the cam. A camfollower |99 normally held pressed against the periphery of the cam, asby a spring 200 and attached to the switch arm |95, causes the switcharm to close and so maintain a connection to the contact`20| while thecam follower is riding on the portion from the supply line 2|0, the mainswitch 2|`| having been closed, through the switch' closing operateuntil the cam coil 2|4 of the main motor control switch 2|5, through thelead 2|6, switch |93 and lead |94to the switch arm |95. When the switcharm |95 connects with the contact 20| and the switch 205 connects withcontact 201, the circuit is completed through the lead 2|8 to theopposite line 220. Thus the motor controlled switch 2|5 is closed,starting the motor 90. 'I'his motor continues to |96 reaches the pointwhere the follower |99 rides up onto the portion |91 of the cam whichopens the circuit at the contact 20|, causing the motor switch magnet tobe de-energized, whereupon the switch 2|5 opens and the motor stops. Inthis position the shoe, which was previously treated by its pressingmechanism, has been released and drawn forwardly into shoe loading andunloading position, and that shoe which was previously in loading andunloading position has been moved backward into cooperative relation toits pressing mechanism and this pressing mechanism has been brought intopressing engagement with the shoe upper. The operator then moves theswitch 205 to its opposite position, opening the contact at 201 andclosing the contact at 206, and as the contact 202 is now closed by theswitch arm |99, the circuit is again completed through the motor switchcoil 2|4 so that the motor is again started and operates until the camportion |98 becomes again eiective, whereupon the circuit is opened byopening the contact at 202. The motor then stops and can be, restartedwhen the treadle is down only by throwing the switch 295 to its otherposition to close the contact at 201. The switches 205 and are thusdouble throw switches and both have to be in denite relationship to eachother to complete the circuit to maintain the motor in operation. Theswitch |95 which may be of the well known spring ratchet type is thrownfrom one to the other of its positions automatically at the end of eachhalf revolution of the shaft 86, and it is then necessary to throw themanually operated switch 205 to again start the motor.

The heating element of the pad linings for the two presser mechanismsmay derive their supply of current from the lines 2|0 and 220, beingarranged in series and with an adjustable resistor 225, and when themetal form shown in Figures 10 and 11 is to be employed, the heaters forthe two forms may also be plugged in parallel with the heating elements26 at the plug connection 226 shown diagrammatically in Figure 12.

In operation, a shoe to be treated is placed on the shoe supportingslide which is forwardly presented, and adjusted for proper height andangularity as shown by the gage. The motor is then started, this causingthe shoe so placed and adjusted to be moved rearwardly into pressingposition and the presser mechanism is closed about it, while the otherpressing mechanism is opened and the supporting slide is moved forwardlyto unloading position and the machine stops. A shoe to be treated isthen placed on this forward support and the machine again started,moving the shoe to be treated into pressing position and returning theshoe last treated to the loading and unloading position for removal fromthe machine.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention,it should be evident to those skilled in the art that various changesand modiiications might be made without departing from the spirit orscope of this invention.

I claim:

1. Shoe upper pressing means comprising spaced :top andbottom .plateshaving mating edge recesses Vwithin which a shoe end may be inserted, aplurality of pressure blocks arranged in series .and slidable betweensaid top and bottom plates 'and having pressing faces, means forretaining said blocks with their pressing faces Vdisposed injuxtaposition, said blocks having arcuate recesses struck about centersat adjacent edges of said front faces, and annular segmental keys in therecesses bridging adjacent blocks.

2. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed inone edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks -onsaid plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edgeto edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motion about a shoeend positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back of saidblocks at either side of the center of said series, -equalizing armsfulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends withthe two blocks one at each end of said series and the others nextadjacent t0 said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central blockof said series and having ends in operative engagement with the nextadjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member en- -gageablebetween rearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forwardends of said levers toward each other on the forward motion of saidwedge member, a fixed abutment back of said central block, and a springreacting between the rear face of said central block and said' abut'-ment, said pressing means including abutments l against which said leverarms engage when said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock saidnext adjacent blocks toward each other and against the end of a shoepressed rearwardly against said central block.

3. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed inone edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks onsaid plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edgeto edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motionv about ashoe end positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back ofsaid blocks at either side of the center of said series, equalizing armsfulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends withthe two blocks one at each end of said series and the others nextadjacent to said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central block'of said series and having ends in operative engagement with the nextadjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member engageable betweenrearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forward ends ofsaid levers toward each other on the forward motion of said wedgemember, a fixed abutment back of'said vcentral block, a spring reactingbetween the rear face of said central block and said abutment, saidpressing means including abutments against which said lever arms engagewhen said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock said next adjacentblocks toward each other and against the end of a shoe pressedrearwardly against said central block, means for supportinga shoe withitsA heel end partly enclosed by said series of blocks, and means for`forcing said shoe rearwardly against said central block.

Y4. Shoe upper pressing means comprising a supporting plate recessed inone edge to receive the end portion of a shoe, seven pressure blocks onsaid plate, means holding said blocks with pressing faces arranged edgeto edge in an arcuate series for closing and opening motion about ashoer end positioned in said recess, a pair of levers fulcrumed back'ofsaid blocks at either side of the center of said series, equalizing armsfulcrumed on said levers for operative engagement at opposite ends withthe two blocks one at each end of said series and the others nextadjacent to said end blocks, lever arms fulcrumed on the central blockof said series and having ends in operative engagement with the nextadjacent blocks to said central block, a wedge member engageable betweenrearwardly extending arms of said levers for forcing the forward ends ofsaid levers toward each other on the forward motion of `said wedgemember, a fixed abutment back of said central block, a spring reactingbetween the rear face of said central block and said abutment, saidpressing means including abutments against which said lever arms engagewhen said central block is pushed rearwardly to rock said next adjacentblocks toward each other and against the end of a shoe pressedrearwardly against said central block, means for supporting a shoe withits heel end partly enclosed by said series of blocks, and means forforcing said shoe rearwardly against sai-d central block and forswinging said levers to lbring said blocks controlled by said equalizingarms into pressing engagement with side portions of said heel end.

5. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting platehaving a recess in one edge within which an end portion of a shoe may beextended, said supporting plate having a giudeway at opposite sides ofsaid recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by saidslide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoeinto said recess or to retract said shoe therefrom, shoe pressingmechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a portion intermediate toits ends in position to be engaged when the shoe is moved into saidrecess, means actuable to move the end portions of said mechanism towardand from each other to press against the-sides of said shoe end portionor to relieve pressure thereon, and means for moving said slide and saidend portions in timed relation.

6. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting platehaving a recess in one edge within which anend portion of a shoe may beextended, said supporting plate having a guideway at opposite sides ofsaid recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by saidslide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoeinto said recess or to retract said shoe therefrom, shoe pressingmechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a ,portion intermediate toits ends in position to be engaged with the shoe is moved into saidrecess, means actuatable to move the end portions of said mechanismtoward and from each other to press against the sides of said shoe endportion or to relieve pressure thereon, a movable member, connectionsfrom said movable member to said slide and to said end portions formoving said slide and end portions in timed relation, and means actuableto move said member.

7. A machine of the class described, comprising a supporting platehaving a recess in one edge within which an end portion of a shoe may beextended, said supporting plate having a guideway at opposite sidesofsaid recess, a slide movable along said guideway, means carried by saidslide for supporting a shoe for motion to project one end of said shoeinto said recess or to retract lsaid shoe therefrom, shoe pressingmechanism slidably mounted on said plate with a portion intermediatetoits ends in position to be engaged when the shoe is moved into saidrecess, means actuable to move the end portions of said mechanism towardand from each other to press against the sides of said shoe end portionor to relieve pressure thereon, a bell crank lever, connections from onearm of said bell crank lever to said slide, connections from the otherarm of said bell crank lever to said end portions, and means actuable torock said bell crank lever.

8. A shoe support, comprising a base, a last pin vertically adjustablewith respect to said base, a toe support mounted for motion from andtoward said last pin and vertically adjustable, and means actuable fromone end portion of said base for adjusting said last pin and toe supportvertically and said toe support from and toward said last pin.

9. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable postcarried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post forrocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe maybe placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustablelongitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said post, anda link pivotally connected at po- `posite ends to said slide and form,respectively.

10. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable postcarried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post forrocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe maybe placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustablelongitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said 4post, alink pivotally connected at opposite ends to said slide and form,respectively` and means located at the forward end of said support foradjusting said post vertically.

l1. A shoe support comprising a base, a vertically adjustable postcarried by said base, a pin pivoted to the upper end of said post forrocking motion lengthwise of said support, a form over which a shoe maybe placed and having a socket to receive said pin, a slide adjustablelongitudinally with respect to said base toward and from said post, alink pivotally connected at opposite ends to said slide and form,respectively,

said form having a socket for receiving a heating element open frombeneath between said link and said pin-receiving socket, and a heatingelement in said element-receiving socket.

l2. rihe combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of a shoe supportmovable to and from a position to present a shoe on said support intotreating relation to said mechanism, said shoe support being adjustable,and a gage positioned with relation to said support when said support isout of treating relation to said mechanism to determine a position ofsaid shoe with reference to said support correct for the treatingoperation when said shoe support is in said position and to which saidshoe may be brought by movement of said support.

13. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism. of a shoe supportmovable to and from a position to present a shoe on said support intotreating relation to said mechanism, said shoe support being adjustable,a gage positioned with relation to said support when said support is outof treating relation to said mechanism to determine a position of saidshoe with reference to said support correct for the treating operationwhen said shoe support is in said position and to which said shoe may bebrought by movement of said support, and means actuated by the motion ofsaid support to said position for retracting said gage from gagingposition.

14. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means forsupporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoesupporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustableindependently to de- 'termine the angular position lengthwise and theplacing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, and a gagehaving a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoeand acting to denne the proper angular position and placing of the shoefor the treating operation.

15. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means forsupporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoesupporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustableindependently to determine the angular position lengthwise and theplacing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, a gagehaving a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoeand acting to dene the proper angular position and placing of the shoefor the treating operation,

said gage being positioned to cooperate with the shoe when said shoesupporting means is out of said position and in a shoe loading andunloading position, and means actuated by the motion of said supportingmeans toward said treating position to move said gage away from theshoe.

16. The combination with a shoe treating mechanism, of means forsupporting a shoe in treating relation to said mechanism, said shoesupporting means including spaced shoe supporting elements adjustableindependently to determine the angular position lengthwise and theplacing of said shoe with respect to said supporting means, a gagehaving a pair of shoe engaging portions spaced lengthwise of the shoeand acting to denne the proper angular position and placing of the shoefor the treating operation, said gage being positioned to cooperate withthe shoe when said shoe supporting means is out of said position and ina shoe loading and un loading position, a pivoted arm supporting saidgage, and cooperating cam elements one iixed and one on said pivoted armpositioned to swingr said arm in a direction to retract said gage fromsaid shoe as said supporting means ismoved to shoe treating position.

1'7. A machine of the class described, comprising a shoe pressingmechanism, a shoe support mounted for motion to present a shoe thereonand having a heel into and out of operative relation to said pressingmechanism, means for actuating said pressing mechanism to close in amoutan end portion of the shoe in said operative relation and pressthecounter portion of said shoe into substantial continuity with theadjacent surface of the heel, a lever, connections from opposite arms ofsaid lever to said support and actuating means such that swinging ofsaid lever in one direction moves said support into position where ashoe thereon is in operative relation to said p-ressing mechanism andactuates said mechanism to close in about the shoe, and swinging of saidlever in the opposite direction opens said pressing mechanism andremoves the shoe from operative relation to said mechanism, and meansfor rocking said lever.

18. A machine of the class described, comp-rising a shoe pressingmechanism, a shoe support mounted for motion, to present a shoe thereonand having a heel into and out of operative relation to said pressingmechanism, means for actuating said pressing mechanism to close in aboutan end portion of the shoe in said operative relation and press thecounter portion of said shoe into substantial continuity with theadjacent surface of the heel, a lever, connections from opposite arms ofsaid lever to said support and actuating means such that swinging ofsaid lever in one direction moves said support into position Where ashoe thereon is in operative relation to said pressing mechanism andactuates said mechanism to close in about the shoe, and swinging of saidlever in the opposite direction opens said pressing mechanism andremoves the shoe from voperative relation to said mechanism, and meansfor rocking said lever,certain of said connections including yieldingmeans.

19. In combination, a pair of mechanisms for operating on shoes, a pairof shoe supports each movable toward and from one of said mechanisms, arotary shaft, connections from said shaft to said supports causing therotation of said shaft through successive half revolutions to move oneof said supports toward its mechanism and the other of said supportsaway from its mechanism during one half revolution and said one supportaway from its mechanism and said other support toward its mechanismduring the other half revolution, means for rotating said shaft by suchhalf revolutions, and automatically acting means for stopping therotation of said shaft at the end of each half revolution.

20. In combination, a pair of-mechanisms for operating on shoes, a pairof shoe supports each movable toward and from one of said mechanisms, arotary shaft, connections from said shaft to said supports causing therotation of said shaft through successive half revolutions to move oneof said supports toward its mechanism and the other of said supportsaway from its mechanism during one half revolution and said one supportaway from its mechanism and said other support toward its mechanismduring the other half revolution, a motor for driving said shaft, adouble throw switch for starting said motor,

and a double throw switch controlled by the rotation of said shaft forstopping said motor at the end of each half revolution of said shaft.

21. A machine of the class described, comprising means for supporting ashoe having a heel, means for simultaneously pressing from end to endthe outside of the counter portion of a shoe on said supporting meansinto substantial continuity with the adjacent face portion of the heelof such shoe, a source of power, operative connections between saidsource and said pressing means for actuating said pressingl means bypower from said source, and operator actuated means controlling thesupply of power from said source to said pressing means.

22. A machine of the class described, comprising means for supporting ashoe having a heel, means for simultaneously pressing from end to endthe outside of the counter portion of a, shoe on said supporting meansinto substantial continuity with the adjacent face portion of the heelof such shoe, a shaft, power means for rotating said shaft, andoperative connections between said shaft and pressing means causingrotation of said shaft to actuate said pressing means.

23. lA machine of the class described, comprising shoe supporting means,means for pressing the back portion of the counter of a shoe supportedon said supporting means, means for pressing the side portions of saidcounter, a rotary power shaft and single adjustable means through whichpower is applied from said shaft for said pressing means controlling byits adjustment the amount of pressure exerted by both of said pressingmeans.

24. A machine of the class described, comprising shoe supporting means,means for pressing the back portion of the counter of a shoe supportedon said supporting means, means for pressing the side portions of saidcounter, and single adjustable means through which power is applied forsaid presser means, said' single adjustable means including mechanisminsuring constant relation between the pressures exerted by said backand side pressing means.

KENNETH W. MACDONALD.

CERTiFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,557,596. september 5, 19m.

KENNETH w. MACDONALD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring Correction as follows: Page 5,second column, line 5'? claim 6, for "with" read --when; page 6, secondco1- umn, line 58, Claim 1T for "amout" read about; page 7, secondcolumn, line 51,01aim 25, after the word "shaft" insert a comma; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice.

signed and sealed this 51st day of october, A. D. 191m.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

